Page 68 of Space Daddy and a Boy Called Twink

“So you were already on Earth,” I observed. “Why?”

He glared at me. “You know I’m not allowed to reveal the reason behind my time here. It’s confidential, and I’ve said just about as much as I can on that.”

The Justice Department had emissaries throughout the universe for various reasons, and I imagined his presence here wasn’t just to keep an eye on a Tier 5 planet, though I was curious to know what exactly his mission might’ve been.

Kryton took down an official report of my incident. I described my purpose, as well as my relationship with Sheila and how I wound up on Earth. During all this, Powerbottom kept shooting dirty looks at Twink, whose uneasiness intensified throughout, which Pluto seemed to be trying to soothe with licks. He was already incredibly fond of my boyfriend. Seemed he was a good judge of character.

Once I finished my report, Kryton said, “That should be enough. Now, I intend to cryofreeze Sheila for transport. She’s likely coming to from the sedative you pumped her with, if you wanted to swing by and have a chat with her first.”

I hesitated, looking to Twink as I considered if I should just let it go. But I couldn’t deny that a part of me wanted one last conversation.

Our last conversation before today, I lied to her so I could make my getaway. Apparently, she’d been deceiving me too, in that she’d known I was trying to escape and had tampered with my ship so I would crash-land on this planet. It was time for us to be honest with one another.

“Go on,” Twink said, taking my hand. It was as though he was learning to read me the way I read him.

I cupped my free hand against the back of his head and drew him in for a kiss. I’d intended for it to be quick, but between being a Furker and this relief in knowing he was okay, I definitely lingered longer than I should have, something that earned barks from Pluto and an eye roll from Eric as I pulled away.

Kryton led me back to the chamber where he was keeping her—behind glass strong enough to contain her, but still bound against the floor as well.

“Sheila?”

Lying on her side, her dark flesh shimmered under the overhead lights. She was quiet, the way she might have been when we would get into one of our fights, especially in those times where I would demand she release me.

“You left me.” Even though the words were still shrill, especially to my human ears, they were gentler than usual, I figured because her body was still dealing with the effects of the tranquilizer. She stirred, getting onto her knees and moving closer to the glass, though she wouldn’t make eye contact. Seeing her in this vulnerable state warmed my heart, reminded me of the side of her I’d first fallen in love with. Or at least, that’s what I’d thought it was.

“I knew you would eventually,” she revealed. “I only wanted a little more time. A few more babies. Maybe fifty thousand or so.”

“You know that would have never been enough.”

She growled. “I don’t know how you can bear to touch that thing.”

Now wasn’t the time to tell her that he would likely feel the same about her.

“But you love him?”

I hadn’t used those words to express it, but given what I’d experienced today and what had only intensified since we’d come to know one another, I had to admit, “I do.”

“Then I have lost.” She tucked her head low.

“It’s not a competition,” I said, though I knew that wasn’t something her species could really understand.

“And now I’m going to be in prison.”

“Yes. There will be several charges for invading a Tier 5 planet, for putting Tier 5 species at risk of imminent danger, assault against an officer of the Justice Department…”

“Okay, you don’t have to name them all,” she insisted, finally making eye contact, and that sweet smile slipped across her face—well, at least as much as a Vorcon could smile.

“You should go,” she whispered. I nodded and turned to head off when she said, “But one more thing. Iwillget my revenge.”

Fear coursed through me because I could tell she meant it, but also, she wouldn’t have been a Vorcon if she hadn’t threatened me.

“Goodbye, Sheila.”

25

TWINK

“So what canyou shapeshift into?” Roger asked Kryton.